Hexion takes an important step in the era of digitalization by acquiring Smartech

Hexion Inc., a global adhesives and performance materials company, announced its first acquisition of the last decade: the company Smartech, which specializes in autonomous manufacturing solutions based on artificial intelligence. This strategic move marks an important moment in the evolution of the woodworking industry, with the potential to improve production efficiency, cost control and sustainability.

Impactful collaboration in the wood industry

The integration of Smartech technologies into Hexion's portfolio comes at a time when the industry is facing concrete challenges: rising raw material costs, supply chain pressures and the need to adapt to environmental changes. The systems developed by Smartech, including SmartWAX, SmartPF and SmartMDI, complement Hexion's expertise in resins and wood processing.

"This acquisition represents a major step forward for Hexion, combining Smartech's artificial intelligence and automated manufacturing technologies with our expertise in resins and woodworking," said Michael Lefenfeld, President and CEO of Hexion.

Innovative technology for efficient production

A relevant example of the benefits of this acquisition is the patented system SmartMDI. This technology utilizes dynamic chemical process control for more precise application of resins in glulam production. Results include:

Improved surface coverage
Optimized reactivity
Reducing raw material costs
Reduced VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions
Savings of over 15% per factory

Looking to the future

Under the leadership of American Securities, which took over the company in 2022, Hexion is undergoing a five-year transformation. The Smartech acquisition aligns with the company's strategy to develop innovative solutions and improve operational efficiencies.

Smartech will continue to operate as a stand-alone entity, serving existing customers, while its technologies will be integrated into the Hexion ecosystem to provide practical solutions in the wood industry and other related sectors.

This acquisition represents a significant step in the digitization of the wood processing industry, with the potential to bring tangible benefits to both producers and the environment. It signals progress towards more efficient and sustainable technologies in production processes.